The study suggests that the Obama administration work with Middle Eastern allies to repeal laws that restrict citizen freedoms, hinder political activities or suppress freedom of expression and assembly.

VOA: standard.2010.05.19

I think it might actually be the more obvious meaning, which is "to hinder" or "to preclude."

我认为那可能是更容易理解的意思，“阻碍“或“妨碍“

耶鲁公开课 - 弥尔顿课程节选

"Successfully investigating this episode could only make it stronger,but we shouldn't pass this resolution now which could actually hinder the wheels of justice before they have ever begun to turn."

VOA: standard.2009.11.04

Whether it has done anything to help or hinder the right wing BNP party won't be clear until the next round of British public opinion polls or until Britain's next country-wide election, expected in 2010.

VOA: standard.2009.10.23